Free Wi-Fi Boosts Student Success in Malawi
Thousands of Malawian students are celebrating academic progress thanks to a nationwide free Wi-Fi rollout, part of the $72.4 million Digital Malawi Project backed by the World Bank.
The initiative, which ran from 2017 to 2024, has improved internet access for over 8.5 million citizens and transformed learning for over 83,000 students at 81 higher learning institutions.
One such beneficiary is Wezzie Matalala, a final-year student at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR). As she prepares to graduate in Agriculture Education, Wezzie credits her academic turnaround to the Malawi Research and Educational Network (MAREN) Wi-Fi, introduced in 2022 under the project.
“The coming of campus-wide Wi-Fi was a huge relief,” she shared. “I could finally access YouTube tutorials, research papers, and complete assignments without stressing over expensive mobile bundles.”
Previously, LUANAR’s patchy and slow campus internet forced students to crowd limited hotspots late into the night—braving mosquitoes, the cold, and congestion to meet assignment deadlines. Now, with reliable access across campus, students save both time and money while enjoying a richer academic experience.
Lucy Banda, a third-year education student at the University of Malawi, echoed similar praise, noting how the improved connectivity supported her during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s made online learning easier,” she said. “From submitting assignments on Moodle to downloading resources, everything is smoother now.”
Beyond campuses, the Digital Malawi Project connected over 600 government institutions, launched a national data center, and laid the groundwork for improved digital public services. Originally targeting 50,000 students, the project surpassed expectations—boosting digital literacy and access among youth, public workers, and entrepreneurs alike.
Though the project concluded in October 2024, its momentum continues through the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project, part of the World Bank’s Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Program.
The new initiative will expand connectivity to 2,000 schools and roll out affordable digital learning devices—promising even broader access to inclusive internet and educational tools.
